Jupp Heynckes begins his fourth coaching spell with Bayern Munich as the Bavarians host Freiburg at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich hope to kickstart their season under new manager Jupp Heynckes after the club parted ways with Carlo Ancelotti last month. Bayern’s new coach will be hoping to rejuvenate the group and start his new stint with a victory.
Bayern Munich have been in poor form in the Bundesliga this season. The defending Champions sit second in the league, five points behind their rivals Borussia Dortmund. In their last game before the international break, they were held to a 2-2 draw against Hertha Berlin.
Freiburg have had a difficult start to the campaign as well. The visitors sit just above the relegation zone in 15th position. However, they picked up a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Hoffenheim in their last outing.
Team News
Bayern Munich will miss a couple of players due to international games and training injuries. James Rodriguez returned late from Colombia and will miss the game against Freiburg. Arturo Vidal suffered a knock in training and will be on the sidelines as well.
Jupp Heynckes: "Vidal has a slight muscular problem and will not play tomorrow. I am a coach who takes no risk & Arturo is important to us." pic.twitter.com/kIVVsYF87u
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 13, 2017
Manuel Neuer and Franck Ribery are the long term absentees for Bayern, as fears continue to grow about a six month layoff for the goalkeeper. Juan Bernat, on the other hand, has returned to individual training but is not quite match-fit.
Predicted XI
Heynckes is likely to stick to his favored 4-2-3-1 formation against Freiburg. Sven Ulreich will take his place between the sticks, David Alaba and Joshua Kimmich are likely to occupy the full-back positions and Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng will form the central defensive partnership.
The manager suggested in his press conference that he wants Javi Martinez to get back to his best in the midfield position. Martinez played as a defensive midfielder under Heynckes in ’12-13, and it is likely that he will start in that role against Freiburg. Thiago Alcantara is likely to partner his fellow countryman in the midfield.
Jupp: "Javi did not play in midfield for a long time and must get used to it again. I want to stabilize the defense & with him it's better" pic.twitter.com/kK1jLTOJd5
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) October 13, 2017
Thomas Muller was one of the key player for Heynckes and he will slot straight into his starting XI against Freiburg. Kingsley Coman and Arjen Robben will occupy the flanks as James and Ribery are out for this game. Robert Lewandowski will lead the line and look to maintain his hot streak after a good international break with Poland.
"UlreichKimmich – Hummels – Boateng – AlabaMartinez – ThiagoRobben – Muller – ComanLewandowski"
Opposition focus
Bayern Munich have been leaking goals this season while Freiburg have been goal shy this season. The visitors have scored only 5 goals and conceded 11 in the Bundesliga. Heynckes have to be careful while dominating possession as they have been vulnerable on counters this term.
Next: Jupp Heynckes suggests Thomas Tuchel as his successor
The Bavarians have a great opportunity to regain their against Freiburg, but cannot afford to become complacent. Freiburg possess some good talent in their ranks, but right now are not clicking as a team. Florian Niederlechner has been their top scorer with two goals, and the tall forward could prove a real threat in Munich.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-0 Freiburg